Event goals
The Fifth Annual Benefit Evening continued the tradition of helping the most vulnerable members of Ukrainian society. The proceeds gathered from this Benefit Evening went to the children?s ward of the Kyiv Psycho-Neurological Hospital #1, where 70 children aged 2-18 stay for treatment.
The aim of the Fifth Benefit Evening was to draw attention to the problem of mental illness in Ukraine and to promote the concept of charitable giving within Ukrainian society. Since Ukraine had recently signed the European Declaration promoting mental health care, the Organizing Committee believed that this event would be an excellent opportunity for the capital city to be the first to focus its attention on the problems of mental health.
Event summary
Since 2001, the FLEX Benefit Evenings have raised almost $16,000 to support children's charities in Kyiv and Zhytomyr and have made a real difference in the lives of many underprivileged children. The Honorary Chair of the Benefit Evening Organizing Committee, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John E. Herbst, was unable to attend due to illness, but was represented by his Deputy Chief of Mission, Mrs. Sheila Gwantley. The President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, sent his best wishes and gratitude to the Organizing Committee for putting together such a noble event. The Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) was represented by Serhiy Bychkov, Deputy Chair of the Committee for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Head of the Interparliamentary Group Ukraine-U.S., and by Andriy Shkil, deputy of Verkhovna Rada. The Benefit Evening was also attended by the Ambassador of Belgium, Pierre Colot, and numerous representatives of the U.S., Canadian, Azeri, Hungarian, and Indonesian Embassies.
Many prominent Ukrainians representing the arts and society offered their time and donations to this worthy event. Okean Elzy, one of the most popular bands in Ukraine and well known for its active participation during the Orange Revolution, performed at the Benefit Evening. The program of the charity event also included performances by the Caprice Classic quartet, legendary Ukrainian singer Taras Chubay, and award-winning Ukrainian singer Anjelika Andriyevska. Items for the silent auction were donated by various Kyiv artists, the famous soccer club Dynamo Kyiv, and Ruslana, 2004 winner of the Eurovision Song Contest. Raffle prizes ranged from movie tickets to air travel to any European destination from Ukraine International Airlines.
With approximately 20 media outlets represented at the Benefit Evening, such as UT 1 national channel, M1 music channel, Gala Radio, Radio Era, the English-language publication What?s On and Ukrainian news agency UNIAN, the event gained much publicity. In total, 34 sponsors contributed to the success of the event. American Councils for International Education and the Institute for International Studies of Integration and Globalization also helped alumni to organize the Fifth Annual Benefit Evening. The participation of businesses, government entities, and mass media was important to promote charitable giving in Ukrainian society and to encourage all to improve the situation of the mentally ill in Ukraine.
Organizers & sponsors
FLEX Alumni, Ugrad Alumni, American Councils for International Education, and 34 Ukrainian companies and sponsors.
Results
The Fifth Annual Benefit Evening raised approximately $6,500 including direct support from sponsors. This money will help purchase much needed medical equipment, furniture, and sporting apparel for the children at the Psycho-Neurological Hospital. Sponsors of the Benefit Evening donated a washing machine, a karaoke system, and vitamins for the children?s department. The American Institute of Laser Technologies also agreed to provide medical exams for the children for free. Alumni were a key element in getting support from various organizations and businesses in Ukraine.
Quotations
"You are not only aiding the children at the Kyiv Psycho-Neurological Hospital; you are forming the model for a new spirit of civic cooperation in Ukraine. Thanks to your energy and generosity, I can see a bright future for Ukraine's young people" - U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John E. Herbst, Honorary Chair of the Organizing Committee, expressing gratitude to sponsors and the Organizing Committee.
Follow up
Sixth Annual Benefit Evening.
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